Krakow Market Square Attack Leaves Six Dead and Fifteen Wounded
A 24-year-old gunman drove a vehicle into the city's main square, firing a long gun at pedestrians before being shot by police.
By Evelyn Adeyemi ·
Six people died and 15 were injured after a gunman opened fire in the heart of Krakow, Poland, on Saturday afternoon. The victims included four women and two men. Police confirmed the casualty count on social media, raising the death toll from five to six after the initial reports.
The attack began around 3 p.m. when a tram driver reported being shot at by a man in a moving car near the main square. The window of the driver's cabin shattered during the incident. The perpetrator, a 24-year-old Polish citizen, drove his vehicle into the bustling market square. He wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest. He fired a military-type long gun at people who appeared to be chosen at random.
Katarzyna Cisło, a spokesperson for the Krakow police, described the event as a wild ride around the square. This maneuvering caused injuries at multiple locations. Videos from witnesses show residents fleeing into nearby narrow streets for cover. Police engaged the shooter a short distance from the square. The gunman kept firing even after being hit by a police round. Officers took him to a hospital for surgery.
Authorities found additional weapons and ammunition inside the suspect's car. It remained unclear whether the firearms were legally owned. Poland has a population of 37 million, with approximately 411,000 people holding gun permits. Interest in gun ownership has been increasing in the country. Mass shootings are rare in Poland, though three separate school attacks in the central province of Mazovia occurred in mid-October, leaving one person dead and many wounded.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised the responding officers in a post on X. President Karol Nawrocki stated his thoughts were with the victims and their families. Cisło told the public that the gunman acted alone and that the public is safe. Police officers and ambulances secured the area, and a Medical Air Rescue helicopter landed in the square.
The Main Square is a major tourist destination in the center of the city. About 15 million tourists visit Krakow each year. Most of them pass through this specific square. The city is the second-largest in Poland. The incident occurred in a busy public space known for its historical significance and high foot traffic.
The attack disrupted traffic and commerce in the city center. Emergency services managed the scene while investigators examined the vehicle and the weapons found within it. The gunman's condition was listed as stable following his surgery. Local officials coordinated the response with national leaders. The event marked one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Polish history.
